Cutoff mechanism



June 25, 1940. A'. BORZYM cUToFF NECHANISM Filed March 4, 1938 6 Stxeets-Shelet 1 ALEXAN DER E DRZYM FI G.10.

June 25, 1940. A vBQRZYMy 2,205,389

cUToFF NECHANISM l Filed Maren 4. 193e e sneetssneet 2 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

:ALEXANDER BURzYM.

June 2.5,V 1940.

` A. BoRYM- CUTQFF ECHANISH Filed latch 4. 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BYALEXANDEIQ BDRZYM.

FIG

FIC-L5.l

@Mmm

ATTORNY. A

A. BoRzYM 2,205,389

CUTOFF IIECHANISM Filed March 4. 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 25,1940.

June 25, 1940 v I A. BoRzYM 205,389

cUToFF uEcuANIsM Filed llarch 4. 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 HG; z

HJVENTORv ALEXAN DER EmRzYM.

(7M-@Vm ATTORNEY.

Patented June 25, 1940 UNITEDy STATES CUTOFF MECHANISM Alexander Borzym, Detroit, Mich., assigner to The Yoder Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio JUN 161942 Application March 4, 1938, Serial No. 193,957

22 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for cutting a continuous length of material into sections of uniformlengtli. The particular embodiment of the invention herein shown for purposes of illustration, is adapted for. cutting into predetermined lengths hollow bodies which, because of their cross sectional shape or the kind and/or thickness of the material Vof'which they are formed,-

would be distorted or damaged by the use of a single cutting device. invention it is shown as applied to the cutting of metal pipe, the seam of which has been welded, but the invention is not to be limited to pipe or hollow bodies formed of metal, nor hollow metal bodies having welded seams.

While I have shown a mechanism employing a plurality of cutters, it is equally applicable to the use of one cutter. for example, for cutting work the cross sectional shape of which is otherwise than hollow; likewise, the invention may be applied to the cutting of work into sections where the latter are shear cut. l

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus wherein the cutting of a hollow body into sections may be effected without distorting or damaging the walls thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus employing a plurality of cutters co-operatively controlled for making each complete cut of the work.

Another object of the invention is `to provide an improved cutoff apparatus employing one or more cutters for each cutting operation, the operation of which is controlled by the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cutoff apparatus employing a plurality of cutters operable in the same plane fork effecting each cutolT of the work.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cutoi apparatus of this character adapted to operate on work which is being continuously fed from a source of supply, the cutoff mechanism being controlled by the work and the cutting element or eements being movable with the work to sever the latter independently of the means for operating them.

A further objectof the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein separate co-ordinated power means are employed to move the work die and cutter with the work and ,to operate the cutter.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an apparatus of this character improved means wherein the cutting operation is controlled by the work, the work engaging device In this application of thel (Cl. 16A- 49) and the supports for the cutter or cutters being connected, whereby the work 1s cut into section of predetermined, uniform length.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thisl character-having a cutter operating means, a work die and a cutter in connected relation mounted 'for'movement with the work relative to the cutter operating means.

A further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of this character, a reciprocating mechanism, a work-die and a cutter in connected relation and means for yieldingly connecting the work-die to the reciprocating mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of this character, a reciprocatable work-die and a cutter in connected relation thereto, a device connected to the work-die arranged to be engaged and moved by the work, and means, yieldably connected to the work-die and controlled by said device, for reciprocating the workdie.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character wherein shocks and strains incident to the operation of the cutters and re-setting of the operating shaft, on the driving mechanismand other parts are eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character employing one or more cutters and operable automatically and rapidly, whereby the apparatus has large capacity.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in` theart to which my in` vention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a view of an apparatus embodying my` invention, partly in plan and partly in sectionbn i 2V ,.i

the line I I of Fig. 3. f.

Fig. 2 is a View, partly in side elevation v'and' partly in section on the line 2 2 of Fig; 3.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; a portion being on the line` 3a 3a of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Figs. 1

the line adjacent to. thedelivery end of a suitable tube or pipe forming mechanism (a portion of which is shown at 2), wherein sheet metal ls continuously shaped into tubular or pipe form, as shown at A. The mechanism 2 may include a suitable welding means, the pipe then passing between the pair of driven feed rolls 3, which feed the work at a desired speed to the cutoff apparatus. The feed rolls 3 are driven by a power mechanism indicated as an entirety at 3,'. The rolls 3 may also serve as sizing rolls for the pipe A if found desirabie. In this arrangement, the mechanism for operating a die carrying table (indicated as an entirety at 4) is drivingly connected to the shaft for one of the feed rolls 3, so4 that the movement of the table may be synchronised with the feed of the work. but the invention is not to be limited to such arrangement, since tire pipe A may be supplied in long lengths to the cutoff apparatus, and the power for operating the table, which carries the die with thev work, may be otherwise correlated with the supply means.

The die carrying table 4 is mounted to reciprocate on guides 5 and is provided with a depending stud shaft on which loosely rotates a roller 6.` The roller 6 is arranged to engage a cam track 1 provided on the outer wall of a drum 8, the rotationY of which serves to reciprocate the table 4. The drum 8 is xed to a shaft 9 (see Fig. 2) connected to the driven element of a suitable single revolution clutch I0, which is set in operation as later set forth. The driving element of the clutch IU has fixed to it a worm gear II, in meshwith a worm I2, which is xed to a shaft I3; the shaft I3 is provided with a sprocket I4, which is driven by a chain I5 from a sprocket I6. 'I'he sprocket I6 is flxed to a shaft I'I, suitably mounted in a bearing bracket on-the outer side of the framefor the mechanism 2 and is provided with a second sprocket I9, driven by a chain 20 from a sprocket 2l, the

latter being xed to the shaft which drives the lower feed roll 3 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The work die 22 is formed with an opening through which the work extends. The die is removably mounted on the table 4 so that a die having walls corresponding to work having a different cross section may be substituted. The die 22 is provided with ways, which engage guides 23 on the table 4, so as to slide paralleily relative thereto and is also connected to the table, as later set forth, so as to be reciprocated thereby. 'Ihe die 22 is connected by a rod 22a to a flag or device 22D arranged to be engaged and moved by the advancing end of the work, to set the clutch I U and the cutters in operation, so that the die is moved by the flag or device 22h with the work in the direction of feed thereof. The mounting and operation of the rod 22a and flag 22h will be, later set forth. As the cutters are operatively connected to the die 22 to move therewith, as later set forth, thc adjusted position of the ag 22h on the rod 22a relative to the cutters determines the length of the sections to be cut, and

accordingly the sections will have a predetermined uniform length. 'I'he rod 22a is rotatably connected to the die, since the rod is rotated as later set forth, -to move the flag 22h out of the path of movement of the work when the cutters complete each cutoff operation. The die is yieldingly connected to the table by cushioning or spring means which normally tend to hold the die 22 in an intermediate or predetermined normal position, but permit relative movement between the die and table in either direction in line with the feed of the work. These cushioning means serve as the connections between the table 4 and die 22 s'o that the table moves with the die in one direction, that is, with the work during the cutting operation and both are moved in the opposite direction to position the die and ag in position for the succeeding cutoff operation. The cushioning means permit the die to move relative to the table when moving with the work and relieve strains on the cutters at the time the table reaches the end of its movement in the forward direction and starts to move in the rearward direction. Also, since the flag 22h is connected byfthe rod 22a to the die and moves the latter. with the work and the cutters are also in xed relation to the die, as later set forth, the cushioning means automatically compensate for the movement of the flag 22h and rod 22a in setting the table reciprocating mechanism and cutter operating means in operation. Thus the table reciprocating mechanism supplements the operation of the flag 22h while engaged by the advancing work and during the operation of the cutters to move the die and cutters forwardly, but serves to move these parts back to starting position ready to effect the succeeding cutting operation. The cushioning means are arranged in front and rearward of the die 22 and co-act to normally maintain it in a predetermined relation to the table. Each cushioning means comprises a rod 24 connected at its inner end to the die (being preferably threaded into an opening formed therein). The outer end portion of the rod 24 extends through a cylinder 25, suitably supported at its inner end on a bracket 26 carried by the adjacent end of the table 4. At its outer end the rod 24 is provided with screw threads to adjustably support a collar 21, which slidably fits the inner wall of the cylinder 25. A coiled spring 28 mounted in the cylinder 25 and abutting the collar 2I and bracket 26 normally tends to slide the die toward the latter. The cushioning means are arranged at and connected to the opposite ends of the die so that the springs 28 normally act in opposition to each other, but permit movement of the die in either relation relative to the table 4. As shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 13, the die 22 is formed with a transverse slot 22e into which the cutters indicated at 29, 30, project to cut the work, one slot only being required as both of the cutters operate in the same transverse plane. In this arrangement a portion of the work, after a section thereof is ycut off, is mounted in the die ready to feed forwardly. The slot 22C is connnected to a discharge chute 3I through which the slugs resulting from the cuts may gravitate. yWhere the work has a cross sectional shape other than round, either cutter may be employed, the other cutter being removed. Also, where a shear cut is desired, a suitable die is employed and one of the cutter carrying members may be provided with a co-acting shearing device.

Where two cutters are employed, they operate `the springoperated power mechanism, following f in planes at angles to each other, preferably at right angles, the cutters being driven from af single shaft 32 and controlled, .as later set forth,

so that one makes its cut and moves away from the work in `advance.of the cuttlngstroke of the other cutter. One cutter, for example, cutter 29, consists of two spaced cutting edges 29a, so as to engage and cut through the opposite side portions of the work, as shown in Fig. 13, whereas the other cutter consists of two converging cutting edges 30a which project into the work through the slot cut by the adjacent cutting edge 29a and cut through the remaining walls thereof in line with the cuts made by the lcutter 29. The cutter 29 is secured to a plate 33, which is removably bolted to a block 34. 'I'he block 34 slidably engages a guide 35, disposed parallel to the direction 'in which the work A and table 4 move and is fixed to a reciprocatable slide 36. The cutter 39 is secured to a plate 33a, which is removably bolted to a block 34a. The block 34a slidably engages a guide 35a disposed parallel to the direction in which the work A and table 4 move and is fixed to a reciprocatable slide 36a. The cutter which cuts the opposite side portions of the work is illustrated as moving horizontally. but it may be arranged to operate in any direction. Each slide 36', 36a., is mounted in ways 31 provided on the frame I, as shown in Fig. 6. The slide 36 is connected by a rod or pitman 38 to one crank 39 on the shaft 32. The slide 36a is connected by a link 49 to one arm of a `bellcrank 4|, mounted to rock on a shaft 42 carried by the frame l, the other arm of the bell-crank being connected by a rod or pitman 43 to a Separate crank 44 on the shaft 32. The shaft 32 is mounted in suitable bearings provided in spaced walls of the frame l, as shown in Fig. 7.

The arrangement for slidably mounting the cutters on the slides 36, 36a, provides for movement of the cutters 29, 30, with the die and work A during the -reciprocations of thecutters in making a cutting operation. To effect such movement, the supporting blocks 34, 34a, for the cutters 29, 30, are connected tothe die, so as to reciprocate therewith, by means of pilot pins 34x. For this purpose each block 34, 34a, is provided with two pilot pins 34a: which slidably t openings 22a: formed in the die 22. As shown in Fig. 6, the pilot pins l34.1cexl'feizld to points in advance of the cutters 29, 30, so that in the movement of the slides 36, 36a, in .their movement to effect the cutting strokes of the cutters, the pilot pins have sliding engagement with the walls of the openings 22a: to permit operations of the cutters to and from the die and work while maintaining them and the die in fixed relation; in other words, the cutters are reciprocated at right angles to the work by the shaft 32 and linkage` above described and by reason of the connections between the die 22 and blocks 34, 34a, provided by the pilot pins 34x slidably tting the openings 223:, the die serves to move the cutters with the work in the forward direction and back again.

As later set forth, the shaft 32 makes one revolution for each cutting operation; that is, operation of both cutters 29, 30, in sequence to cut a section of the work A. The shaft 32 is arranged to be locked in a predetermined position against rotation with both of the cutters 29, 30, in their retracted positions, as shown in Fig. 6. When in this position, the shaft 32 is connected to a spring power mechanism, the spring of which is under compression or tension, so that upon operation of a locking element, the shaft is initially driven by which, by Vmeans vof a lclutch mechanism, .the

shaft 32 is .connected to a separate or mainpower mechanism whichy .initially supplements the power of the spring power mechanism, and then continues to drive the shaft 32 to complete the cutting operation and to re-compress vthe spring of the spring powerl mechanism. The separate `power mechanism is then disconnected from the shaft 32 and the latter is relocked with the spring of the spring power mechanism re-set and'com pressed ready for the next cutting operation. To insure the cutting stroke of the cutter 29'in advance of the cutting stroke of the cutter 30, the cranks 39, 44, have a predetermined relation as shown in Fig. 6 and the rod or pitman 43 operates the cutter 30 through the bell-crank 4|, so that the cutting stioke of the cutter 30 takes place simultaneously with and during the retraction of the cutter 29.

The spring power mechanism comprises the following: 45 indicates a crank disk on one end inder 4'l and carrying at its outer end a collar or 4head 48. Fixedly mounted in the cylinder 41 at its inner end is a collar 49 between which and the head 48 is interposed a coiled spring 50, shown in compressed condition in Fig. 3 and arranged to act on the head 48 and through it and the rod 4'6 to start rotation of the shaft 32. as already set forth, upon release of the locking element, indicated at 5|. The outer end portion of the cylinder 41 is mounted in a ring 52, which is pivotally mounted between a pair of arms 53 formed integrally with a bracket 54, the latter being iixed to the adjacent portion of the frame l (see Fig. 3). A tube 50a fits within and extends longitudinally of the spring to keep 'the latter from buckling when compressed. As the thrust rod 46 is connected to the crank 45, it will be seen that when the latter rotates to thev position shown in Fig. 3 the spring 50 is compressed so as to exert its inuence to rotate the shaft 32, upon operation of the locking element 5i.

The main or motor driven power mechanism for rotating the shaft 32 comprises the following: 55 indicates a continuously driven motor, the shaft thereof carrying a pinion 56 in mesh with the teeth 51 on a fly-wheel 58 loosely mount- -ed on the shaft 32, but arranged to be connected thereto and disconnected therefrom by means of a clutch, indicated as an entirety at 59 (see Fig. 7) and shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. 'Ihe clutch 59 consists of an inner member 6U suitably keyed to the shaft 32 and formed with a. plurality of cam walls 6I, an outer annular member 62 fixed to the hub of the fly-wheel 58, a,`

noA

63, and a collar 84 keyed on the shaft 32 and connected to the cage 63 by a plurality of springs 64a normally tending to rotate the cage 63 in a direction (clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4-see arrow) to move the rollers 62a up the cam walls 6I, to lock them between the inner member 60 and the outer member 62, the effect of which ls to connect the fly-wheel 58 to the shaft 32.. The collar 64 is provided with an arm 66 (see Fig. 4), the outer' end of which is connected to the cage 63 by a pair of pivotally connected links 61, operable as a' toggle, which links are articulated under the infiuencc of thesprings 64a tov swing their connected ends outwardly, whereby a roller Il (carrled'by the pintle which connects the links together) is normally disposed in the path of a cam or operating member 89 fixed to the adjacent wall la of the frame I, by bolts, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and arranged to engage therewith as the shaft 32 rotates. As shown in Fig. 4, when the roller 68 engages the member 89, the latter causes the links to expand, the e'cct of which is to move the cage 63 counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 4) against the tension of the springs 84a and thus move the rollers .62a to the low sides of the cam walls 8|, thereby releasing Y the ily-wheel 58 from the shaft 32. When roller il and the links 61 move beyond the end of the member 89, the cage, under the influence of the springs 84a, will move clockwise to effect engagement of the rollers 62a with and between the high sides of the cam walls 6| and outer clutch member 62, to connect the shaft to the fly wheel 58. ends of the links 61 will swing outwardly.

Fig. 4 shows the position of the clutch elements when the shaft 32 is in set position and locked against movement by the element 5I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and '7. Upon operation of 'the element 5I, the spring power mechanism will rotate the shaft 32, which in turn, through the arm 86, will move the links 61 beyond the end of the member 69 and permit the clutch to automatically connect the separate or main power mech-g anism, that is, the driven y-wheel 58, to the shaft 32. The shaft 32 will then be driven by the main power mechanism to effect the cutting operation, as already described. In the revolving movement of the clutch, the links 61 will engage the member 69, which will expand the links 61, and through the cage 63 move the rollers 62a to the low sides of the cam walls 6l and thus release the clutch element 62 from the clutch element 60. As will be understood,l the member 69 is arranged to operate the clutch to disengage the fly-wheel 58 from the shaft 32 after the spring 50 has been re-set and prior to the locking of the shaft 32 by the locking element 5|, the operation and control of which is later set forth.

The locking element Slis mounted on onearm 18 of a rocker 18 which is mounted to rock on a shaft 1I suitably supported in t'he frame I. The shaft 1| is surrounded by a coiled spring 11a (see Fig. 7) arranged to normally bias the rocker 18' to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14, in which position another arm 10a of the rocker 18 rides on the outer wall of the crank 45, for a purpose later set forth. By. preference, the outer end of the arm 10a is provided with a roller 10a' to reduce the friction between the arm and crank. The rocker 18' is shown in Figs. 3 and 14 in operative position, that is, with the locking element 5I in engagement with a lug'5la on the crank 45 and operating therethrough to prevent rotation of the shaft 32 under the in fluence of the spring 50. The crank 45 is provided on its side Wall with a knocker 45a which, in the rotative movement of the crank, engages the roller 18a' and throws the rocker 10 counterclockwise, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 14, whereby a third arm 10b of the rocker 10 is locked by a trip 12 (to be later referred to) with the locking device 5| in .the path of movement of the lug Sla, the engagement of the latter with the device 5| serving to stop the shaft 32 and lock it against movement, until the rocker 1U' is again released by the trip 12.

As already stated the advancing end of the work A controls the operation of the cutters by In this operation, the inner or connected engagement with the ag 22h, which in turn slides the rod 22a endwise. 'Ihe flag 22h is ad justable longitudinally of the rod 22a so as to position it at the desired predetermined distance from the plane in which the cutter 29 starts to cut the work, which distance determines the length of each cut-off section. 'Ihe outer end of the rod 22a extends through and is slidably and rotatably supported in a bracket 13 xed to the vertical side of an angle 14, the horizontal side of which serves as a support for the outer end portion of the work as it moves forward. The inner end of the angle 14 is fixed to a bracket 15. preferably mounted on the frame I (see Fig. 2). and its outer end is provided with a block 16 which is formed with an opening arranged to receive the upper end of a rod 11, the latter in turn being adjustably mounted in a standard 18, by means of a set screw 18a. The block 16 may be secured to the rod 11 by a set screw 16a. 19 indicates an arm adjustably fixed to the rod 22a by a set screw 19a and carrying on its free end a striker 88, which, in the forward movement of the rod (as indicated by the arrow a in Fig 14) engages with and swings the arm 8l of an electric switch 82 to close an electric circuit 83. 'I'he arm 8| is normally biased to switch-open position by a spring 81a, so that upon operation of the arm by the striker 80, which is arranged to ride the arm after operation thereof, it returns to its first position to open the circuit 83. The striker 88 is pivoted on the arm 19 so as to be free to swing in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, whereby it is free to ride the arm 8i in the return movement of the rod 22a. The circuitY 83 comprises leads 83a, 83a, 83h, connected to mains 84, and when the switch 82 is closed, supplies current to, and energizes the coil of a solenoid 85, the core of which is connected by a link 86 to the arm 81 of a two-way valve 88, and serves to operate the valve element of the valve 88 a quarter turn. The link 86 is connected to a spring 88 which normally tends to draw the core outwardly, when the solenoid coil is de-energized and return the valve element to normal position, as shown in Fig. 14. 89 indicates a conduit leading from a suitable source of air supply under pressure and connected to one side the casing of the valve 88. 90, 9|, indicate conduits leading from the valve casing for the valve 88 and connected.to the opposite ends of a'cyllnder 92, so as to control a piston 92a therein. As shown in Fig. 14, the valve element of the valve 88 is provided with two ducts, and when the valve element is in normal position (see Fig. 14), one duct connects the conduit 89 with the conduit 90 so that the air pressure maintains the piston 92a at the inner end of the cylinder l92 and the other duct connects the conduit 9| with a bleeder port 93. When the valve element is operated a quarter turn, as already described, the ducts effect connection of the conduit 90 with the bleeder port 93 and the conduit 89 with the conduit 9|, so that air pressure is admitted to the opposite side of the piston 92a, to force it toward the outer or left hand end of the cylinder 92. The piston 92a is connected to a rod 94 the free end of which is arranged to be engaged by a lug 95 on the control member of the one-revolution clutch I0 to prevent operation of the latter, b'ut upon movement of the piston 92a toward the outer end of the cylinder 92, the rod 94 disengages the lug 95 and permits operation of the clutch I8, which in turn rotates the drum 8 one revolution to reciprocate position upon deeenergization of the coil of thev solenoid 85,' the piston 92a is returned to the inner end of the cylinder 92 so as to position the rod 94 in the path of movement of the lug 95, whereby the clutch I is stopped after making one revolution. 96 indicates a conduit connected to the conduit 9| for supplying air under pressure to the inner end of a cylinder 91 and arforegoing description, the operation of the piston 91a. toward its outer end will move the rod 99 endwise and the rod in turn, through the shoulder |00, dog IOI and arm |02, will rock the shaft |03, as indicated by the arrow b (Fig. 14). As the shaft |03 carries the trip 12, rocking thereof will permit the trip 12 to release the rocker 10', permitting the latter to swing about the shaft 1I under the influence of the spring 1Ia, as indicated by the arrow c. In such movement of the rocker, the locking element will disengage the lug`5Ia, and permit the shaft 32 to be rotated under the influence of the spring 50. The dog IOI is pivoted on the arm |02 so that in the event it rides the shoulder |00 in the active stroke of the rod 99, the shoulder may freely ride the dog in its return movement under the influence of the spring 98 to position the shoulder in operative position forward of the dog, as shown in Fig. 14. The shaft |03 is surrounded by a coil .spring |04 (see Fig. '1), one end of which is suitably xed and its other end is connected tothe shaft |03 and normally tends to rock the latter clock'- wise, as viewed in Fig. 14, so that following the operation of the arm |02 and trip 12 to release the rocker the trip will be returned to its normal position ready to engage the arrn 10b when the rocker 10 is operated counter-clockwise by the engagement of the lug or l.n ocker 45a with the rocker arm 10a, as already described.

It is desirable to start the rotation of the shaft 9 slightly in advance of the starting of the shaft 32, so that while I have provided a Valve 88 which supplies the air pressure to both cylinders 92 and 91, I provide control means for retarding the operation of the piston 91a in the cylinder 91, so that the'release of the device 5| from the lug or catch 5Ia takes place after the clutch I0 has .been set in operation. The contrql means herein provided consists of a pressure valve |05 in the conduit 95 having a spring operated valve element which opens upon establishing a predetermined pressure in the conduit, the valve being provided with means for adjusting the tension of the spring to control the valve, whereby the operation of the piston 91a is co-ordinated with the operation of the piston 92a. By reason of this arrangement, the pressure is rst built up in the cylinder 9i to operate the piston 92a outwardly and effect release of the clutch I0 in ad- Vance of the operation of the valve |05 and supply of pressure to the cylinder 91. y

Provision is made for swinging the flag 22h laterally out of the path of movement of the work A at or immediately followingthe time the cutter 30 completes its cutting stroke, and back again,

so. that the flag 22b maybe positioned foren gagement by the advancing end of the work, it being noted that the flag 22|? is retracted to its vstarting position by the rearward movement of the die 22 through the connection of the latter with'the table 4. By preference, the flag 22h, in its swinging movement back to its position in the path of movement-oi the work, is utilized as the means for discharging the cutoff section of the work from the support 14. For carrying out these operations, I provide on the outer end of the shaft 32 a tappet |06 (see Figs. 8, 12 and 14), which is arranged to engage and operate the spring operated arm I 01 of a normally open switch |08 to close an electric circuit |09 (see Figs. 12 and 14). The closing of the circuit |09 energizes the coil of a solenoid |I0, the core of which is connected through a link I II to the crank or arm |I2 xed to the rotary valve element of a valve II3, a spring I|4 being connected to the arm II2 to rotate the valve to closed or normal position upon de-energization of the solenoid coil. II5 -indicates a conduit for air under pressure connected to the air supply conduit 89 and arranged to supply air to a conduit II6, when the valve element of the valve II3 is rotated a predetermined distance, as will be understood from Fig. 14. The valve, element of the valve II3 is formed with two ducts and (a) when this element is in normal position the air supply from the conduit II5 is cut olf and the conduit IIS is connected by one duct to a bleeder port II3a, as shown in Fig 14, and (b) when this element is rotated a quarter turn, the other duct connects the conduit II5 to the conduit II6. The conduit IIG is connected to'the inner end of a cylinder I I1 having a piston I I1a which is normally biased toward the inner end thereof by' a spring II8 interposed between the piston and the outer end of the cylinder I I1. to a rod II9, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to an arm non-rotatively connected to the rod 22a. Accordingly, when air is admitted to the cylinder II1, the piston II1a will be moved toward its outer end and through the rod |I9 and arm |20 it will rotate the rod 22a and swing the flag 22h to the position e (see dotted lines in Fig. 9), out of the path of movement of the work A. As soon as the coil of the solenoid IIO is de-energized, the valve element of the valve II3 will be returned to normal position, shutting off the supply of air to the cylinder II1, thereby permitting the piston I|1a to return to the inner end of the cylinder under the influence of the spring |I8, the port II3a in the casing of the valve I|3 serving as a bleeder for the cylinder. will return the flag 22h to its rst position in the path of movement of the advancing end of the work and in such movement the flag will engage the cutoff section of the work and automatically discharge it from the support 14.

The circuit |09 consists of a lead I09a con-' position to engage the switch arm |01 at the time r the lug 5Ia is approaching the locking device 5|, so as to co-ordinate the movement of the flag 22h at the time of or immediately following the cutting stroke of the cutter 30.

Means are preferably provided for retarding The piston II1a is connected This operation of the piston |I1a.

the rotation of the shaft 32 following each cutting operation and at the time the lug or catch 5|a carried by the crank 45 or ring 45x is approaching the releasing device 5 I, whereby strains on the parts which become engaged and through them to other parts of the apparatus, are minimized. The retarding means consis of a cam I2| preferably xed to the crank 45 (see Figs. 3 and 7) and a resistance mechanism, indicated as an entirety at |22, arranged to oppose the throw of the cam |2|, and operate therethrough to retard the rotation of the shaft 32. Of the mechanism |22, |23 indicates a reservoir or surge tank for a fluid such as oil. vThe tank |22 is preferably of cylindrical shape, secured by bolts |24 to the adjacent wall of the frame and provided with upper and lower annular walls |25, in and through which extends a cylinder |28 for a piston |21. -The cylinder |26 comprises a block |28 suitably secured to the lower wall |25 and extending therethrough for engagement with a pad |29 and a tube |30 suitably secured to the upper wall |25 and extending therethrough, the lower end of the tube |30 being connected in a liquid tight manner to the upper end of the block |28. The upper end of the piston |21 is bifurcated to support the opposite ends of a shaft |3| on which is loosely mounted between the bifurcations a roller |32 to engage the cam |2|. The lower end of the piston |21 is reduced to accommodate a relatively strong, coiled expansion spring |33 which is interposed between the block |28 and the shoulder formed by the reduced portion and which normally tends to move the piston upwardly, whereby the roller |32 is maintained in engagement with the cam |2| as the latter rotates. 'I'o provide for the l transfer of oil from the tube |30 below the piston |21 to and from the reservoir |23, I provide a threaded opening |30a, which is formed in the side wall of the tube |30, having a metering valve |30b and a valved conduit |30c leading into the in ner end of the tube |30, one element of the metering valve being mounted in the threaded opening |30a. 'I'he metering valve |30b comprises a seat member |34 externally threaded and mounted at its inner end in the opening |30a, the opening through the seat member serving as a discharge opening for the oil in the cylinder |26 following the initial downward movement of the piston |21 (when the latter is actuated by the cam |2|) and as an inlet opening for the oil, in the nal portion of the piston movement upwardly, whereby oil may be drawn into the cylinder |26. The rate of flow of the oil through the discharge opening and seat member |34 is controlled by a plunger |35 adjustable toward and from the outer end of the latter, so as to regulate the resistance to the piston in its downward movement. The plunger |35 is preferably threaded externally to provide screw threaded engagement with a bushing I35a suitably xed within a sleeve |36, the inner end portion of which has screw threaded engagement with a collar |31 xedly mounted in the side wall of the reservoir. Suitable packing is mounted in the sleeve and compressed against the outer end of the bushing by a disk |36a having screw threaded engagement with the outer end of the sleeve |36. The outer end of the plunger |35 is formed with a kerf, whereby, by means of a suitable tool, the plunger |35 may be rotated, the effect of which is to adjust its inner end relative to the outer port of the discharge opening through the seat member |34. A nut |35 is employed to lock the plunger in adjusted position. The return conduit aaeese I300 extends through the block |28, its inner end being shaped to form a seat for a valve element |38 (preferably a ball) arranged to close the conduit in the downward movement of the piston |21, but arranged to be unseated and permit in-flow of the oil in the upward movement of the piston. By preference, the valve element |38 is engaged by a thrust member |39 which is normally pressed toward the valve element by a suitable spring |40. To provide for this arrangement, the piston |21 is formed with a recess |21' extending inwardly from its lower end, the wall of the recess serving as a guide for the thrust member |39 and the latter is formed with a recess extending inwardly from its upper end, the spring |40 being interposed between the end wall of the recess in the thrust member and the .end wall of thc recess in the piston. As will be understood, the spring |40 is relatively weak to avoid undue pressure on the valve element |38 to permit ready operation thereof away from its seat in the upward movement of the piston |21. The lower portion of the piston |21 is provided with bleed ports leading from the recess |21' to prevent pocketing of oil therein. The upper end portion of the tube |30 is formed with an opening 4| to permit escape of any oil carried up with the piston. In the initial movement of the piston downwardly, it first forces oil in the cylinder |26 out through a port |30a formed in the side wall of the tube |30 and then closes the port so that in continued movement of the piston the oil is discharged through the metering valve the effect of which is to retard the piston travel. The upper wall |25 is provided with a device, indicated as an entirety at |42 (see Fig. 7b), to permit intake and exhaust of air from the reservoir above the oil level therein to compensate for the rise and fall of the oil level due to operation of the piston |21. The device |42 is constructed to prevent the escape of oil incident to the operation of the piston |21 downwardly. The device |42 comprises a section of pipe |43 (see Fig. 7b) suitably mounted in an opening formed in the upper wall |25 and having mounted in its inner and outer ends threaded plugs |44, |45. The plug |44 is provided with one or more small openings |46 through it, whereas the plug |45 is formed with a longitudinal duct |41 connected at its upper end to one or more horizontal ducts |48 opening through the r side walls of the plug head. In this arrangement, the pipe 43 provides a chamber somewhat larger than, the openings |46 through the plug |44, so that the force of the air and any oil carried along with the air, is broken 'own, whereas by forming in the plug |45 laterally extending outlet ports 48, the flow of the air and oil is further retarded, so that any oil which is conveyed by the air through the device is not squirted upwardly but gravitates downwardly on to the adjacent parts where it can be easily wiped up.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that I have provided an apparatus wherein the work automatically controls the operation of moving the die and cutter therewith, and the operation of the cutter or cutters, and at the same time I provide a connection between the work engaging device and the cutter or cutters, whereby they move as a unit, so that the sections are successively cut to predetermined, uniform lengths; also, that I provide a spring operated power mechanism which gives' a quick impulse to the operating shaft, and serves to accelerate its speed and a separate power mechanism which is automatically connected to the operating shaft and initially supplements the rotative effort of the spring operated mechanism, then applies its power to continue rotating the shaft, whereby the cutter or cutters are operated, and nally re-sets the springr of the springoperated power mechanism, following which the separate power mechanisrn is disconnected from the shaft and the latter is automatically locked against rotation ready for the succeeding cutting operation. In this eo-ordinated application of power, strain on the separate power mechanism when it becomes connected to the operating shaft is entirely eliminated.

It will also be noted that the-die is yieldingly connected to its reciprocating mechanism, so that the work engaging device, die and cutter or cutters may be moved by the work and relative to the die reciprocating mechanism to effect operation of the latter.

No claim is made herein to the. subjects-matter of my co-pending applications Serial Numbers 710,430 see Letters Patent No. 2,155,396, dated April 25, 1939) and 150,697.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table mounted to reciprocate parallel to the direction of feed of the work, a die mounted to slide on said table parallel to the direction in which said table reciprocates, yieldable connections between said die and table normally tending to maintain said die in a predetermined position relative thereto, means for feeding work to said die, means for reciprocating said table, a cutter having xed relation with said die for movement therewith, means operatively connected to said cutter for moving it toward and from the work, a ag connected to said die and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work whereby said die and cutter move with the vwork relative to said table, and means controlled ing fixed relation with said die for movement therewith, means operatively connected to said cutter for moving it toward and l'roin the work, a flag arranged to be engaged and moved by the work and connected to said die, and means controlled by the movement of said flag Afor operating said reciprocating means and said' cutter moving means, said control means including cylinders each connected with a fluid supply under pressure and provided with pistons releasably connected to said reciprocating means and said cutter movingl means, a valve in said fluid supply and common to the fluid connections to said cylinders and a pressure valve in the uid connection to the cylinder for the piston connected to said cutter moving means arranged to admit the fluid to said cylinder after the piston' in the other cylinder has been operated.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table mounted to reciprocate parallel to the direction of feed of the work, a

die mounted to slide on said table parallel to thev said table, a slide reciprocatable at right anglesA to the feed of the work, means for reciprocating said slide, a cutter mounted on said slide to move in the direction of feed of' the'work and arranged to be moved toward and from the work by said slide, connections between said cutter and die,

`whereby they. have fixed relation during movement of said die and said slide, and means for controlling the operation of each of said reciproeating means, said controlling means including a device connected to said die and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a frame and means for feeding work to be cut into sections, of a die mounted to reciprocate on said frame in line with the feed of the Work, a slide mounted on said frame to reciprocate at substantially right angles to the feed of the work, a flag movably mounted on said frame in the path of movement of the work and arranged to be engaged and moved thereby, a cutter slidably mounted on said slide and connected to said die to move therewith, connections bctween said flag and die whereby the latter and said cutter move as a unit with said flag, means for reciprocating said slide and cutter, a reciproeating .member operatively connected with said die, and power means connected with said member and arranged to move said member with the die during movement thereof with the Work and to return the die, cutter and flag to starting position in co-ordinated relation with the movement of the cutter to cut the work. i

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the power means is controlled by the movement of said flag.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim '7 wherein means are provided for operating the flag out of engagement with the work during movement thereof and following each cutoff operation and then into engagement with the cutoff section of the work to discharge it. I

8.'In a cutoff mechanism, means for feeding y preformed work rectilineally, a pair of cutters mounted to move toward and from the work at angles to each other, means for reciprocating said cutters in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, and means for reciprocating the cutters in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the work relative to and during operation in' one direction of the first mentioned reciprocating means.

9. In a cutoff mechanism, means for feeding preformed work rectilineally, a pair of cutters mounted to move toward and from the work at angles to each other, one cutter being provided with spaced cutting edges arranged to slot opposite portions of the work and the other cutter being arranged to project through the slots and cut the remaining portions of the work, means for reciprocating said cutters in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke 7 in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, and means pfor reciprocating the cutters in a direction lparallel to the direction of movement of the -work relative to and during operation of the first mentioned reciprocating means.

10. In a cutoff mechanism, the combination of means for feeding preformed work rcctilineally, a pair of cutters disposed in the same plane transverse to the direction of movement of the work, means for reciprocating the cutters in said transverse plane in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, and means for reciprocating the cutters in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the work, relative to said rst mentioned reciprocating means.

11. In a cutoff mechanism, the combination of means for feeding preformed Work rcctilineally, a pair of cutters disposedin the sameplane transverse to the direction of movement of the work,

a shaft, means' operated by said shaft for reciprocating the cutters in said transverse plane in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, means for reciprocating the cutters in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the work relative to said first mentioned reciprocating means, and means for controlling the rotation of said shaft.

12. In a cutoff mechanism, means for feeding preformed work rectilineally, a pair of cutters mounted to move toward and from the work at angles to each other, means for reciprocating said cutters in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, and means for reciprocating the cutters in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the work relative to and during operation of the rst mentioned reciprocating means, the last said cutter reciprocating means including a device operatively connected to said cutters and arranged to be engaged by and moved with the Work to control the movement of the cutters therewith.

13. In a cutoff mechanism, means for feeding preformed work rectilineally, a pair of. cutters mounted to move toward and from the Work at angles to each other, a shaft, power means for rotating said shaft, means for starting and stopping the rotation of said shaft, means connected with said shaft for reciprocating said cutters in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the Iother cutter, and means for reciprocating the cutters in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the work relative to and during operation of the first mentioned reciprocating means, the last said cutter reciprocating means including a device operatively connected to said cutters and arranged to be engaged by and moved with the work to control the movement of the cutters therewith, said device serving to control the said starting and stopping means.

14. In a cutoff mechanism, the combination with a frame, of means for feeding work to be cut into sections, a shaft 'mounted in said frame, a die slidably mounted on said frame to reciprocate in line with the Work, a cutter slidably mounted on said frame and operated by said shaft toward and from the work, means for locking said shaft against rotation in a predetermined position and releasing it, a spring operated power mechanism connected to said shaft and arranged to start the rotation thereof when said shaft is released, a separate power mechanism, a clutch arranged to automatically connect said separate power mechanism to said shaft, when the latter rotates a predetermined distance, to operate said cutter and compress said spring and automatically disconnect said mechanism from said shaft in further rotation of said shaft to a predetermined position, means for reciprocating said die, driving mechanism independent of said spring operated power mechanism for operating said die reciprocating means, means actuated by the work for connecting said driving mechanism to said reciprocating means and for operating said locking means to release said shaft, the elements of said locking means being arranged to return to locking position during one revolution of said shaft, and to lock .it in said predetermined position under the inuence of said spring operated power mechanism, and a device carried by said frame for controlling the operation of said clutch.

15. A mechanism as claimed in claim 14 wherein said work actuated means is arranged to con nect said driving mechanism to said reciproeating means in advance of the release of said locking means.

16. In a cutoff mechanism, the combination with a frame, of means for feeding preformed work rectilineally, a die for the work mounted on said frame, slides mounted on said frame to reciprocate in a plane transverse to the feed of the work but in directions at an angle to each other, cutters carried by said slides, one arranged to engage and cut opposite portions of the work and the other arranged to engage and cut the remaining portions of the work, a shaft, operating connections between said shaft and said slides, and means controlled by the feed of the work for operating said shaft.

17. In a cutoff mechanism, the combination with a frame, of means for feeding preformed Work rectilineally, a die slidably mounted on said frame to reciprocate in line with the work, slides mounted on said frame to reciprocate in a plane transverse to the feed of the work but in directions at an angle to each other, cutters slidably mounted on said slides and connected to said die for movement therewith, means for operating said slides in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, a device arranged to be engaged and moved by the Work and connected to said die, whereby the latter and said cutters move with the work in one direction, reciprocatable means connected to and co-ordinated with the movement of the die with the work for returning said die, cutters and work engaging device, and means actuated by said work engaging device for controlling the mevement of said die reciprocatable means and said slide operating means.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a die, means for feeding work to said die, a cutter for cutting the work into sections, a shaft, means operatively connecting said shaft to said cutter for moving the latter toward and from the work, co-ordinated spring operated and main power mechanisms for rotating said shaft and compressing the spring of said spring operated power mechanism, releasable means for stopping said shaft at a predetermined position following the compression of said spring, a ag arranged to be engaged and moved by the work for controlling said stopping and releasing they move in one direction with the work, and

means, and means for retarding the rotation of said shaft prior to the stopping of said shaft by said releasable means.

19. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a die, means for continuously feeding work to said die, a cutter movable toward and from the work, a shaft operatively connected to said cutter for operating it, means including power mechanism and releasable elements vfor controlling saidv mechanism whereby said shaft makes one revolution to effect a cutting operation and stops at a predetermined position, means actuated by the work for operating said releasable elements, and means for retarding the rotation of said shaft as it approaches the end of each revoiution.

20. In a cutoff mechanism, means for feeding .preformed work rectilineally, a pair of cutters mounted to move toward and from the work at angles tol each other, means for reciprocating said cutters in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting -stroke of the other cutter, a device disposed in the path of movement of the work and arranged to be move'd thereby, and operatively connected to said cutters whereby means for moving the cutters and said device in the opposite direction.

21. In a cutoff mechanism, means for feeding preformed work rectilineally, a pair of cutters disposed in the same transverse plane and mounted to move toward and from the work at angles to each other, a die mounted to move with the work during the cutting strokes of said cutters, operating connections between said cutters and said die, whereby said cutters move with said diemeans for reciprocating said cutters in co-ordinated relation whereby one cutter makes its cutting stroke in advance of the cutting stroke of the other cutter, a device disposed in the path of movement of the work and arranged to be moved thereby and connected to said die, whereby said die and cutters move in one direction with the work, and means'for moving the die and device in the opposite direction.

22. A mechanism as claimed in claim 20. wherein the operation of the last said means is controlled by the movement of said device by the work.

ALEXANDER BORZYM.

y CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,205,589. June 25, 19ML).

` ALmANDER BoRzYM..

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 2, secondv column, line 58, for the word "relation" read d1rect1on; page 6, second column, line 57, for the reference numeral "148" read --1148--g page 7, second column, line ll, claim b., for "thereof" read thereto; line 14.9, claim 7, for the claim reference numeral 'f'Y' read 5; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same lilay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 17th day of september, A. D.- 191m.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of' Patents. 

